In this publicity image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Lili Taylor portrays Carolyn Perron, left, and Joey King portrays Christine in a scene from “The Conjuring.” The films opens nationwide on Friday, July 19.(AP Photo/New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures, Michael Tackett) SAN DIEGO (AP) — Moviegoers were ready for a fright this weekend, sending “The Conjuring” into first place at the box office. The Warner Bros. haunted-house horror — based on a true story — debuted with $41.5 million in North American ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. Starring Vera Farmiga, Lili Taylor, Patrick Wilson and Ron Livingston, “The Conjuring” unseated three-week box-office champ, “Despicable Me 2,” which dropped to second place with $25 million.